FA Trophy: Ebbsfleet United 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 1

Dagenham & Redbridge have progressed into the second round of the FA Trophy after sealing a narrow 1-0 victory against National League rivals Ebbsfleet United.

A first-half goal from attacker Angelo Balanta guided the Daggers into the next round of the cup competition and helped them £6,000 in prize money at the Kuflink Stadium.

Daggers manager Peter Taylor made three changes to the line-up for the clash with goalkeeper Lewis Moore making his competitive debut and defenders Gavin Hoyte and Liam Gordon came in for captain Ben Nunn, Matt Robinson and Elliot Justham.

While, former Fleet defender Kenny Clark took on the armband for the afternoon on his return to the club.

Fleet only made one change with Bagasan Graham coming in for Myles Weston who dropped to the bench.

The visitors had the first real chance of the game against a run of play after a dominant opening few minutes from Garry Hill’s side.

Striker Conor Wilkinson stole the ball from keeper Nathan Ashmore as he took too long to clear the ball up the pitch.

The Irishman looked to push the ball round the shot stopped and chipped the ball over the bar.

Both sides then searched for possession but it wasn’t until the 20th minute when Fleet defender Jack King got on the end of a low cross that went spiralling wide.

Two minutes later midfielder Ebou Adams cut inside and drilled a shot from outside the box.

Daggers keeper Lewis Moore just got his hand to it and tipped it out for a corner – the resulting corner came in and picked out Maltese international Sam Magri.

The 24-year-old defender headed it on target, but a goal mouth scramble cleared it off the line.

In the 29th minute the visitors left-back Liam Gordon broke clear down the left flank, before driving a shot on target, but Ashmore denied his effort with his feet.

Less than a minute later an awkward bounce went over the top of the Fleet defence and fell to attacker Angelo Balanta.

The former Boreham Wood man then lobbed the ball over the on-rushing Ashmore to give his side a 1-0 lead.

The hosts then searched for an equaliser with Whitely playing through striker Michael Cheek, who drove into the box, cut back but was denied by keeper Moore.

Veteran front man Danny Kedwell then fired the rebound wide of the net.

Former Daggers man Whitely then cut in from the left, let fly, but was denied in the final minute of the first-half.

Early in the second-half keeper Moore was called into action as he was forced to make a save as he denied Cheek from point blank range.

Fleet kept piling the pressure on this time defender Chris Bush weaved his way up the pitch before teeing up substitute Dean Rance.

His effort was blocked by Wolves loanee Ben Goodliffe on the edge of the box in the 55th minute.

Ten minutes later Jack Munns was bundled over in the box – Daggers appealed for a penalty but nothing was given.

Shortly after Wilkinson looked to double his side’s lead but his shot was denied by the foot of Ashmore from inside the box.

In the 81st minute the hosts striker Cheek turned inside the box and and fired a shot just wide of the post following a Whitely cross.

The Stonebridge Road club kept pushing on and Cheek had another chance in the 86th minute as he drove into the box but is effort was deflected out for a corner.

The incoming corner bounced around in the six yard box but Fleet failed to capitalise.